Wednesday, November 7, 2012

The mysterious brown paper has now gone up on the windows at the little retail building at the corner of State and Roosevelt (3 E. State). This was the old space of Grant Park Cleaners, which closed last year.

It's some primo real estate and seems perfect for a coffee shop or some sort of convenient food joint. We're not sure if this means that something is coming or if the owners simply put this up so peepers don't creep on the space.

Anyone have insight?

This seems like a big opportunity for this intersection. If they could get a good tenant, it would really be a boon for this intersection. In our opinion this stretch of State street is really lacking compared to Wabash which seems to continually get better.

If BearDown is correct, I guess the Bears didn't learn the lesson from their failed attempt at a Bears Shop in the 1212 Michigan building - where the Subway store is now. It "bearly" had any business on game days, let alone during off-days, and off-season - and only lasted a few months.

Or might this just be a "pop-up" store - and it'll close up shop once the season is over?

It is affiliated with Chicago Sports Depot and will feature Bulls/Hawks/Sox gear as well. No word on when the turnover is but I assume it will be right after NFL season is over.

Plan is to also have shuttle stations to and from bears home games located just outside the store for those in the southloop and obviously those coming off of the L platform. it will be a nice addition you'll be happy with it.

Um...having shuttles picking up people there to go to the stadium which is RIGHT down the street will only cause more traffic issues than there are already. Also...sports store there is something residents will not be able to utilize. It's not like on my walks home every night...I'm like..."hmmm...maybe I need some more Chicago sports crap for my place". How often will a resident in the area frequent a place like that???? Hope they build it out and it fails.

Sorry you dont approve but this isnt JUST for residents just like Soldier Field isnt JUST for residents. It will be better than a dry cleaners or a vet so just deal with it, its not like your opinion matters anyway. Money talks and BS walks, get over it.

And my opinion doesn't matter...and neither do the opinions of many in Chicago...that's partially why the city and state are in a massive blackhole of debt and also why taxes go up while property values go down.

Soldier Field at least brings money to the area so no arguement there...people come to see the game, park, pregame at local establishments, etc. But having a sports apparel shop is just dumb (I already know...my opinion doesn't matter) but I do agree...it's better to have something there other than a dry cleaner or vet.

PS...people with common sense purchase sports apparel from other places like the internet or places where you'e not paying MSRP or inflated prices (like in the stadium). How much is a luke warm beer or a hotdog? But it's ok...I don't expect someone that says other people's opinons don't matter especially when they work in guest services for suite owners. With all the millions that are made revolving around football...I'm sure they pay the grunt workers huge dollars as they so like the share the insane revenues and profits they bring in.

stop being bitter. My son in law was an account manager at u.s. cellular field for 8 years, believe me it isnt grunt work. Please respect others..

With that being said, I am at many sporting events and I can tell u from experience that many people shop at these types of stores. X-mas, birthdays, on gameday, green versions for St Pattys,etc maaaany people shop at these places. Ask the owners of Chicago Sports Depot, grandstand, HawkQuarters and they will tell you its a year round business ( especially for an NFL franchise like the Bears with many out of town fans/visitors). Im not sure its the best location but Im sure it will do well. eaze up though, you sound like a PO'd lezbo

For a while a few investors were in negotiations to make this a 5am bar, the only one in the SLoop! This would have been very good for ththis area because of all the young people moving in! However, due to Chicago's red tape and difficulty obtaining all alcohol licenses plus late hours alcohol licenses, they gave up for now, and let the sports place lease it. But rest assured, once they get past the red tape, Chicago's SLoop will finally get a late night bar somewhere!

Another place selling t-shirts, novelties, and souveniers. Last time I checked...Midway and O'Hare weren't located at State and Roosevelt.

PS...Account Manager @ a baseball field is grunt work (aka...he sells space, advertising, tickets, services or something else that really has no intrinsic value for billionaires and millionaires for a fraction of pennies on the dollar which you yourself also help fuel. How's that hockey strike make you feel?? Maybe like buying some hockey merchandise??It's ok...a fan ship there will be redistribution of wealth when it fails since someone will get paid for putting that horrible idea together.

I just read your comment now and its obvious you are a scared little person who never played sports. I suppose you would want it to be another vet for your cats, or wait--- maybe an espresso shop. LOLOLOL-- please keep up the whining, it makes my day!

I think a shop at that location...no matter what is positive since the place is sitting vacant now like many other places in the area.

There are enough vets in the area and Chicago needs another coffee place like the city needs more dumb people like some of the people posting on this blog. Hopefully I'm not paying for any of your foodstamps, govt subsidized internet/cell phone, or housing.